Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
, 14(2), 2012; nᵒ 05, 35‐37 ISSN 0976 – 044X
Research Article
DRUG UTILIZATION STUDY OF OSTEOARTHRITIS
IN A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL OF RAJASTHAN
Dr. Purushottam Jhanwar1*, Dr.Sushma Pandey2, Dr. Neelam Sharma3, Dr. Ankur Jhanwar4
1
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Orthopedics, Jhalawar Medical College, Jhalawar (Raj), India.
2
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Medicine, Jhalawar Medical College, Jhalawar (Raj), India.
3
Assistant Professor, Dept. of OB&G, Jhalawar Medical College, Jhalawar (Raj), India.
4
SR, Dept. of Surgery, Govt. Medical College Kota (Raj), India.
*Corresponding author’s E‐mail: dranshul123@gmail.com
Accepted on: 03‐04‐2012; Finalized on: 25‐05‐2012.
ABSTRACT
Osteoarthritis is a common musculoskeletal disorder of olderly people and its prevelance among relatively young people is
increasing. Treatment of osteoarthritis aims at reducing pain and improving mobility. Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDS) are most commonly used drugs for management of pain and inflammation associated with Osteoarthritis. To study the
drug utilization pattern in Osteoarthritis and identify points for future intervention to improve outcomes. A total of 978
prescriptions during 6 month period from September 2011 to February 2012 were collected from Orthopedic Out patient unit of
S.R.G. hospital Jhalawar. Permission was taken from institutional ethical committee. Datas was recorded in a preformed format
regarding age, sex, Joint(s) affected, drug(s) prescribed and any other medicine or therapy prescribed along with pain relieving drug
(Concomitant Medication). Datas were determined and charted in an excel sheet. Simple frequencies and percentages were
obtained for various variables. OA was more common in Female (60.5%) as compared to male (39.5). Mostly seen in middle age
group 40‐60 years (65.9%). Knee joint is most common to be affected (82.9%) either unilateral or bilateral. In NSAIDS, Diclofenac
topped the list either alone or in combination (63.3%). This study shows that in the drug management of OA, non‐steroidal anti
inflammatory drug specially Diclofenac is the most preferred drug. PCM, symptomatic Slow acting drug for OA (SYSADOA) and Non‐
pharmacological treatment are being under prescribed.
Keywords: Osteoarthritis, NSAIDS, SYSADOA, Knee joint, Physiotherapy.
INTRODUCTION PCM. Among pharmacological treatment NSAIDS remains
the most widely prescribed drug for OA despite the Fact
OA is widely known as the most frequent musculo‐
that they only provide symptomatic relief and do not
skeletal disorder, mainly occurring in elderly with a
prevent progression of the disease8. More over NSAIDS
radiographic prevalence of nearly 70% in person >65
cause serious adverse effects especially on long term use.
years. It’s the major cause of pain occurrence frequently
lading to functional disability ranging from slight Keeping the present scenario in mind a prospective study
limitation of movement to severe impairment of normal was planned, conducted and analysed for prescribing
daily living activities. Therefore pain relief plays important pattern of drugs in OA Vis‐à‐vis the standard
role in treatment of OA1. recommendation as in the process provide considerable
feedback to prescribing clinicians. A prescription based
Current recommendation for management of OA includes
survey is considered to be one of the most effective
a combination of non pharmacological (exercise, weight
method to assess and evaluate the prescribing attitude of
reduction, education program and changes in life style)
clinicians9,10. Also it was seen in many studies that OA was
and pharmacological treatment (SYSADOA, NSAIDS,
more common in Female as compared to male. This
topical analgesics and intra‐articular injection etc).2,3
difference may be explained because the females in our
SYSADOA (symptomatic slow acting drug for OA) include region have lack of physical activity, mobility, social
Diacerine, Glucosamine and its related compound, issues11,12. In several studies it was found that Diclofenac,
Chondroitin Sulphate. Many clinical trials have proven Ibuprofen and Paracetamol made the DU 90% segment
there safety and efficacy for symptom relief and possible (Drug utilization segment is the number of drugs accounts
structure modifying effect4‐7. The recent EULAR (The for 90% total drug use)13.
European league against rheumatism) and OARSI
MATERIALS AND METHODS
(Osteoarthritis research society international)
recommendation have laid down the importance of use Patients attending Orthopedic OPD of SRG hospital
of these disease modifying drug in OA2,3. Jhalawar Rajasthan during the period of Sept2011 to Feb
2012 diagnosed and treated for OA (Knee, hip, and
Paracetamol due to its better gastro‐intestinal safety
others joint) were included in this study. But we excluded
profile has been recommended as the initial drug of
OA of spine because in many prescriptions lumber or
choice for symptomatic relief in OA2,3. Other NSAIDS
cervical spondylosis was not differentiated from back and
should be considered only in patients nonresponsive to
neck pain due to non degenerative causes. Nine hundred As for as NSAIDS concerned Diclofenac topped the list
and seventy eight (978) prescriptions from such either alone or in combination (63.3%) followed by
registered patients were collected. Permission for this Paracetamol, Aceclofenac and Ibuprofen (table 5). The
taken from institutional ethical committee. Data was newer drugs like Eterocoxib (23%), Diacerine (16.8%)
recorded in a preformed format regarding age, sex, were under prescribed.
Joint(s) affected, drug(s) prescribed and any other
Table 5: Drugs prescribed
medicine or therapy prescribed along with pain relieving
Prescribed as
Prescribed in
combination
drug (Concomitant Medication). They were analyzed on
Percentage
single drug
prescribed
Name
Total
parameters such as demographic profile and NSAIDS
(%)
usage Pattern.
RESULTS
Total of 978 prescriptions collected during study period Diclofenac 435 184 619 63.3
Paracetamol ‐ 321 321 32.9
were analyzed. Demographic profiles of patients were
Ibuprofen 80 82 162 16.6
shown in table no. 1. OA was more common in Female
Aceclofenac 76 102 178 18.2
(60.5%) as compared to male (39.5). The prevalence of Tramadol 55 80 135 13.8
OA in this study was more common in middle age group Nimesulide 35 91 126 12.9
40‐60 years (65.9%) as the age increases female affects Naproxan 14 ‐ 14 1.43
more. Piroxicam 22 ‐ 22 2.24
Table 1: Demographic Profile Eterocoxib 224 ‐ 224 22.9
Age group Male Female Total Percentage (%) Diacerine 92 72 164 16.8
<40 45 72 117 11.9 Glucosamine 206 72 278 28.4
40‐60 271 374 645 65.9 DISCUSSION
61 & Above 71 145 216 22.2
Total 387 591 978 100 In this study OA was more common in Knee joint and
% 39.5 60.5 female are more commonly affected due to excessive use
of squatting and cross‐leg sitting positions in Indian
Knee joint is most common to be affected (82.9%) either customs.
unilateral or bilateral (table 2). Hip cases were 10.9%
while 6.2% cases were of OA of others joints like Despite better role of SYSADOA in OA, in this study this
Shoulder, wrist, Ankle. was under prescribed. May be because most of the
Patient attending OPD demands medicine which is
Table 2: Location of symptoms supplied free from hospital counter hence Diclofenac,
Site Number Percentage (%)
PCM and Ibuprofen and their combinations accounts for
Knee 811 82.9
90% of total drug use which are all freely supplied from
Hip 107 10.9
hospital.
Others Joints 60 6.2
Total 978 100 PCM alone is least prescribed, could be because
Study shows that only 3.3% prescriptions having one drug symptoms modifying efficacy of Paracetamol is suspect
while 19.8% prescription having two drugs separately or and perceived by most clinicians16. Also true that majority
in combination, rest 76.9% were having more than two of Patients believed this drug only for fever. Non‐
drugs (table 3). pharmacological treatment (exercise, advise for weight
reduction, change in life style) has qualitative role in
Table 3: Number of drugs in prescription treating OA. But in our study it was found in only 14.8% of
Drugs per prescription Number Percentage (%) prescriptions.
Single drug 32 3.3
Two drugs/Combination 193 19.8 CONCLUSION
More than two drugs 753 76.9 This study shows that in the drug management of OA,
Total 978 100
non‐steroidal anti inflammatory drug specially Diclofenac
Table 4: Concomitant medications is the most preferred drug. PCM, SYSADOA and Non‐
Type of treatment prescribed Number Percentage (%) pharmacological treatment are being under prescribed.
Advise for physiotherapy 145 14.8
WHO suggests that drug utilization studies are needed in
Gastro‐protective drug 485 49.6
every health care setting. Data are useful for preparing
Topical Gel 193 19.7
Other (Vit, cal, antioxidants) 706 72.1 Essential Drug Lists and standard treatment protocol. For
a developing country like India, a National Drug Policy is
Non‐pharmacological (advise for physiotherapy) needed to rationalize the drug use. To achieve this, it is
treatment were seen in 14.8% while gastro‐protective very important to determine drug use pattern and
drug in 47.5% and adjuvant therapy (vitamin, calcium monitor drug use profile over the time.
anti‐oxidant) was prescribed in 71.2% (table 4).
Acknowledgement: I wish my sincere thanks to Dr 7. Toegel S, Wu SQ. Comparison between chondroprotective
P.K.Gupta, Dean, Jhalawar medical college for allowing effects of glucosamine, curcumin, and diacerein in IL‐
me to conduct this study. 1beta‐stimulated C‐28/I2 chondrocytes. Osteoarthritis
Cartilage 16(10): 2008; 1205‐12.
Conflict of interest: None declared
8. Abramson SB. The role of NSAIDs in the treatment of
Source of financial support: Nil osteoarthritis.Oxford University Press; 2003:251‐258.
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